Machine



May 28, 1929- J. G. McDoNoUGl-l 1,715,167

LUMBER GRADE MARKING MACHINE Filed Aug. l5, 1925 lO Sheets-Sheet 1 lOSheets-Sheet 3 'May 28, 1929- J. G. McDoNoUGl-l f lI-JUMBER GRADEMARKING MACHINE Filed Aug. l5, 1923 May 28, 1929. J, G, McDoNoUGH1,715,167

LUMBER GRADE MARKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 15, 1925 1o sheets-sheet 4 [NVEN TOR /rroRNEYs May 23 l929- I ,I .1. G. McDoNoUGH 1,715,167

LUMBER GRADE MARKING MACHINE Filed Augl5, 1923 lO Sheets-Sheet 5 [/vvE/v Ton J'oGL-PH 6. MSDo/voz/GH www;

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n LUMBER GRADE MARKING MACHINE Filed Au. l5, 1923 10 SheeS-Sheei'l 8 H ET A/wwf NDC M mg. R M d@ faQV m d E @QU I Ml); 28, 1929 J. G. McDoNoUGH1,715,167

LUMBER GRADE MARKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 15, 1923 10 Sheets-Sheeh 9 i /OZY "EL- I, IIIHIIIIIIIII f f6' 9/ /2 J7 7/27 4. "Mundi" so w Y i L n y 3mnuun i i a l' i /L-` i I, I l

INVENTOR JoJfP/f 6. MSDo/voz/G/f [Tron News lMay 28, 1929. i, MCDONQUGHLUMBER GRADE MARKING 'MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 1 0 Filed Aug. l5, 1923I/v VEN TOR ii AML/(lf MWL( A7770@ gra naires is-'raras rarrurrrics.

i y' Hiatt? JOSEPH kCrILBllRCE MCDONOGH, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

LUMBER- GRADEMARKIN MACHINE.

Application filed August 15, 1923. Serial N'o. 657,519.

. Thisinvention relates tonew and useful improvements in markingmachines designed particularly for use in grade marking lumber ofdierent oi duplicate dimensions received from planers, matchers, bins,wagons, transfer .or assorting chains.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a marking machineparticularly adapted for use in marking, for identification, dressed orrough lumber of small or large dimensions, as the lumber is placed uponor receivedl from a grading or transfer Atable or in or movingto or froma bundling rack7 preparatory to being tied into bundles in the usual waybefore being placed in storage or transit. f

A further object of the invention is to provide a marking machineadapted to be actuated by each board as it is thrust or fed into or pastthe machine. l

Afiirthei lobject is to provide a marking machine having means forautomatically positioning the apparatus, .to receive each board, as itis placed upon the preceding board during the process of bundling, orloading. r

A further object is to provide a marking machine having ay plurality ofmarking dies adjustablyA and detachably mounted thereon,

and, also means for automatically inkingsuoli dies during each operationof the apparatus. r

A still further object is to provide a marking machine which may bereadily and easily adapted for either end marking orv surface markingthe end or forward portions of a apparatus,looking at it from the sideoppoboard as desired. f

@ther objects of the invention will `more fullyappear from the followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawings, and willbeparticularly pointed out in the annexedv claims. y In the drawings therehas been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the objects oftheinvention, but it is to Vbe understood that theinvention is notconfined to the exact fea tures shown, especially to marking top and endsurfaces as the bottom surfaces and sur-v faces nearer the operator maybe selectively markedby slightly modifying tliepmachine. in thedrawings: Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a 'marking machineembodying my invention and adapted to end mark the forward portion'oflumber placed in a bundling rack;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus showing a board inposition to beinarked, andalso the means for inkingl the dies;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the relative position ofthe parts after the board has been marked and also showing the meansprovided for adjusting the dies with reference to the end or a surfaceof the board;

Figure 4 is a rear eleva-tionof -the apparatus;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5 5 of Figure 4showing the means provided for releasing the main carriage from theupright supporting bar, and, also the means provided to ari-est themovement of the board after` it has been marked;

Figure 6 is a 'horizontal sectional View on .the line 6-6 of Figure 2showing the means provided for shifting the dies;

Figure is a horizontal sectional view von the line 7-7 of Figure 2showing the means provided for adjusting the diebelt to change the dies;

Figure 8 is a view similar lto Figure-2, showing the apparatus adaptedfor surface or face marking; A

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, showing a forward or end portionof a board being face or surface marked, and also the means provided toprevent more than one die from engaging the board at each operzition ofthe machine;

Figure 10 is a view in side elevation of the site of that shown inFigures 8 and 9, showing the stop provided to arrest the movenient ofthe boaid after being marked, and also the means provided for releasingthe main carriage from the upright supporting bar when it is desired tolower the apparatus after completing a' bundle;

Figure 14 is a transverse sectional View on the line 14-14 of Figure 13,showing the method of securing the dies to the belt;

' Figure v15 is another modification of Figure 12, showing aconstruct-ionin which the belt is composed of two flexible metal bandsconnected together by a plurality of spaced transverse teeth to whichthe marking dies are detachably mounted;

Figur-c lf3-is a cross sectional view on the line 16-16 of Figure 15,showing how the kdies, are secured to the transverse teeth `of the belt;and` Y Figure 17 shows a modification of Figure 1,

wherein the marking machine is shown adapted for use'in conjunction witha power operated feed table. i

In the yselected embodiment of the inventionv here shown, for purpose ofdisclosure, there is illustrated a bundlingv rack, of the usual type,comprising two wooden standards c 13, provided with a plurality ofstakes or pins 14, between which the boards are placed preparatoryftobeing marked. After the boards have been marked they may be tied intobundles in the usual way, if desired, before being removed from therack. vA suitable base block 15, preferably of cast metal, is providedadjacent one' end of the bundling rack, audits function to provide asuitable anchoringmeans for the upright supporting bar 16'of theapparatus. i y `the bar 16 inserted into a pocket 17 provided in thebase block and securely held therein by `with, to which a metallic plate23 issecuredby screws 24, thus providing a suitable bearing to receivethe bar 16, (Figures 6 and 7),. Referring to Figure 5, it. will be notedthat the inner face of the flange 22 is on a slight angle or bevelwithreference to the edge of the bar 1G,l adapted to .receive thecorrespondingly inclined surface of a suitablewedge 25. This wedge isprovided with a lug. 26 apeitured to loosely receive a screw 27 securedto the upper yface ofthe flange 22. A suitable compressionspring 2 8is-interposed between the lug 26 and the head the screw 27, its

function being to seat the wedge and clamp or l' ck the carriage. totheupright supporting bar 1G in position to'receive the succeeding board.The wedge is provided with a p l have here shown*` pin 29, securedthereto and projecting outwardly therefrom through a clearance slot 31provided. in the wall of the main carriage 19. The terminal` endof thispin is received and engaged by an elongated'j aperture 32, provided inthe terminal end of a releasing arm` 33, pivotally connected to the maincarriage by a headed screw 34.

Ainain pivot. pin 35, hav-ingl a reduced end i portion 36,- has one endysecured to the main carriage by means of the shoulder 37, pro-V videdon the pin,and anut 38 receivediin threaded engagement with the endportion 36 ofthe pin 35,'(Figure 7). AnV4 elongated aperture 39`isprovided inthe supporting bar 16to provide clearance for kthe endportion 36 ofthe. pin in t-he up and down movenient of the carriage uponthe bar.

A. yoke 41, Apreferably of' cast metal, is

pivotallymounted'upon the pin'35, and retained thereon by a nut'42. Theinner bearing hub 43 of this yoke ispreferably-provided with a. suitablecam 44, adaptedito engage the arm 33, i'ipon'niovenicnt'ofthe-yoke 41,

thereby, releasing thewedge 25 from its seat and unlocking the'maincarriagel 4from'thebar 1G. lA sleeve 45 is rotatablymounted upon the pinand has a pinionr46rigidly secured to its inner end, adjacent the'bearing hub 4S, while an adjusting arm'47, preferably integraltherewith, is providedon the other end of the sleeve, adjacent the outerbearing 48, of the yoke 41.` A toothed wheel/49, 4"preferably of castmetal, is rotatably mounted upon the sleeve 45 between the pinionyAlbi-and*` the adjusting` arm 47. rlhe outer face of this wheelprovided' with a plurality 'offv aperizures 5 1 adapted to' receive aspr-ingbolt 52 provided in the terminal end of thea'rm 47.

An endless flexible die belt 56, preferably ofrubber, -is mounted' uponthe wheels 49 is provided witha plurality of 4,suitable marking dies 57,preferably integrally formed therewith,as shown in-,Figure 12, adaptedto engage either the end or the face of the board, as shown in Figures 2and).V The'inner side of the belt is provided with a plu'- rality oftransverse teeth- 58, preferablyfinn and 54, as clearly shown in Figures2, 3, 8 and 9. The outer surface or side of the belt tegralitherewith,spacedto receive the teeth provided on the-perpheries of the' wheels'49andl 54 to prevent slippage thereon., 'lf dec sired, the belt may becomposedof links` with detachable or separable sections, or, itv may beconstructed with ldetachable markingdies,

, as shown in Figures 13`to 16, inclusive', which figures will besubsequently described. Thus,

when it is desired to mark a batch of lumber, 95 i Y the spring bolt 52is withdrawn from the aperture 51 by means of the finger grip 53,thereby releasing the wheel 49 from the arm` 47 The operator thenrevolves the wheel49 upon its axis until the desired die 57l isv broughtinto registration with a suitable triade? 3 pointer 50, preferablyprovided on the outer lower portion of the yoke, Vand on substantially ahorizontal line with the axis ofthe pin 55 when the apparatus ispositioned,'as' shown in Figure2. The. spring bolt 52 is then lreleased,`entering one of. the apertures -51 and securely locking the wheel 449tothe arm 47 of the sleeve 45, thereby preventing the belt from changingits position relative toits starting position during the operation ofthe apparatus.

y Means are also providedfor inking the diesV at each operation of theapparatus, thus, insuring a clear and distinct marking on each board. Aninking roll 59, covered with the usual facing 61,. is removablyandrotatably mountedon a pin 62 supported by a pair of lugs 63,preferably integral with the lower portion of the` yoke 41.` The inkingvroll is arranged in such a manner as to be rotated byfrictional'contactpwith the face of the marking dies 57 when the belt isrevolved, diie to rotation of the wheel 49. Y

A suitable rack 64, preferably curved, having an arm l65', is pivotallyconnected by a pin 66, to the terminal end of an armV 67, preferablyintegral with the hub 48 and the inner arm vof the yoke 41,adapted toengage the pinion 46 secured to the sleeve 45. A convnesting rod 68 hasits lower end pivotally connected tothe arm V65 by a pin 69. The upperrendof the'rod passes through a suitable bearing?- 1, pivot-ally mountedupon a crank pin 72 providedon the end of a short-crank shaft 78. Thisend ofthe connecting rod is l also threaded toreoeive a wing nut 74adapt-V ed to bear againstfthe upper'face of the bearii'1g71'forV the.purpose of limitingA the downward movement of the rack 64, when the yoke41 is in the position shown in Figure 2. `A coiled tension spring'7 5 isprovided to yieldably hold the `rack 64 in its downward position. Thelower end of the spring is attached i to the inner end ofthe pin 62,upon which the inking roll ismoiinted, and its vupper end is secured toa pin 76, provided iii-the arm 65 of the rack 64. The function of theabove described mechanism is to rotate the wheel 49, f

to the raising member 88 by means of suitablel arm 47, thereby revolvingthe belt uponthe wheels 49 and 54 suiiiciently'tobring the die by meansof the intermediary sleeve 45 and being used into engagement with the'face of the inkingrolls 59, thus, automatically inking "the die eachtime theyoke-41 is actuated bya 55 i i board.l The wing nut'74alsoprovides a practical means for adjusting the dies with reference to theend or face of the board.

Means are provided for raising or elevating the main carriage for each ysuccessive board. g For this purpose a slide or carriage 78 is provided,and is .slidably mounted upon the supporting bar 16, directly 'above themain carriage 19. Two-lugs 79 are preferably provided upon the upperportion of this carria'ge, to which 'a pair of coiled tension springsl81 are connected by pins 82. The lower ends ofthe springs are connectedto the upper por-- tion of the main carriage by means of the pins 83,secured' thereto. A bearing 84 is preferably provided on one side of thecarriage 78 to providea suitable support for the crank shaft 7 3, asshown in Figure 6. This bearing is preferably split on one side andprovided with a suitable lug 85, apertured to receive a cap screw 86,the end of which is received in threaded engagement in the side of thecarriage 78. Thus, the crank shaft 7 8 may be locked in any desiredposition by tightening Y gage the surface 91, as shown in Figure 8,

and raise such member and the carriage 78, to which it is secured, tothe position shown in Figures 2 and 9, as the board continues in Vitsforward or feeding movement to the die..

As soon as the end of the board contacts with the marking die, as shownin Figure 2, the

resultant force or pressure from the impact or n'iovement of the board,will cause the yoke 41 to move forwardly to the position shown in Figure8, thereby unlocking the main'carriage from the bar 16 and permitting itto be raised by the sprin 81, to the position shown in Figure '8, oruntil itsupper surface lcontacts Vwith the bottom surface of thevcarriage 78.

The upper portion of this member is provided with apertures 92, wherebysaid meniber may be adjusted from the position shown t in Figures 2 and3, to the positionY shown in Figures 8'and 9, the latter being theposition required lfor surface or face marking. A tension spring` 98 'isprovided to retain the yoke 41 in its normal position. @ne end of thisspring is connectedto the outer arm of the yoke 41 while the other endis connected pins 94, secured thereto. A transversely'extending integralarm 90 is provided on the lowerportion of the raising member 88, andadapted to engage the edge of the bai' 16 to provide asuitable braceorsupport for the member 88 when engaged by a board, shown in Figures 6and 7.

Means are also provided for arresting the movement of the board after ithas bee marked, and consists of a slide slidably mounted upon the bar 16directly beneath the main carriage 19. This slide is preferablysupported on the main carriage by a suitable hook 96, havingitslower endsecured to the `slide by suitable means, such Aasscrews 97,

and having its upper end adapted.toengage va lug 98V provided in thelower portion of theV main carriage, as clearly shown in Figure A stoplug 99 is provided on the side of theA slide adjacent the raising member88, adapted to cooperate with asimilar lug 101 in arresting, themovement of the board after it has been marked by engagement ,with themarking die, as indicated in Figure 3. The lugs 99 and 101 also functionin providing asuitablestop for the yoke 41 when in normal position,(Figure 2), being held against said lugs by the spring 93. j

A stop lug102, preferably secured to the raising carriage 7 8 by screws104, is adjustably mounted upon an upright barl 103 and functions toprovide a suitable stop for limiting the downward movement of theapparatus upon the bar 16, (Figures 1, and 10). Obviously, the normalerstarting position of the apparatusiipon he kbar 16 must be in a,

fixed relati-on with reference to the top face of the bundling rack soas tobi-ing the desiredmarking die in alignment with the end of thefirst board placed upon the rack.

In Figures 8, 9 and 10, the apparatus shown as adapted for surface orface marky lumber grade marking machine, it maybe ing. It frequentlyhappens that aV certain lot of lumber will have ends so rough and uneventhat it cannot be satisfactorily marked on: the ends. `To overcome thisdifficulty it becomes necessary to mark the boards upon the surface orface thereof, instead of on the ends, as above described, and means aretherefore provided, whereby the apparatus, by a 1 slight adjustment, maybe adapted to mark the boards on the top surface as tlieyare pushed orfed into the apparatus.

To make this adjustment the stop slide 95 is dispensed with by releasingthe hook 96 f-rom the main carriage 19, thereby permitting it to belowered out of the way, as shown in Figure 10. A similar stop 105 isthen substituted, preferably terminating in a reotangular block 106rigidly secured to the 4supporting bar 16 by suitable screws 107.

The raising member 88 is then adjusted or lowered from the positionshown in Figures 2 and 3, to the positionsliown in Figures V8 and 9, andthe end of the spring 93 is released from-the lower pin 94 and securedto the upper pin represented by a like numeral.

Upright lugs or ianges 108, preferably integrally formed with the lowerportion of the raisingmember 88, are adapted to engage the rounded ends109 provided on the lower portion of the yoke 41, when the yoke is inits normal position as shown in Figure 8. A-pair of depending lugs 111,preferably integral therewith aie providedon the lower portionr of the`yoke, adapted to engage the end of the board, as indicated in Figure 9.'

In the practical operation of this novel desirable to provide meanswhereby the niarking dies may be quickly and readily detached from thedie belt :for replacement, or, incase it is desired to change the diesfor thepurpose 4of changing the (triade marks or character onthediebelt. uch meansjare shown in Figures 13, 14, landl, which figures showmodified constructions ofthedie belt and marking dies.

`In Figures 13 and 14, the marking dies" 57.. aresliown as'beingintegrally formed on the sleeves 128 are preferably providedf in the iapertures 126 to eliminate wear-toftherflexible belt, preferablyofrubber.' Y i In Figuresl andlG, there is shownanother modification inwhich the die beltviscomposed of a pair of flexible-metallic ybands 129secured together in spaced'parallel relation by the transverse teeth 131rivetedthereto. blocks 132, preferably vof metal, are detachably securedto the transverse teeth 131, of the belt, by means of screws 133, and adowel pin 134 is provided inl each die blocks 132 toprevent it fromrelatively changing its position upon the belt. p f i .Figure 17 'showsa m'odificationof Figure 1, wherein the marking machine or head is.

shown adapted for use in conjunction with a lpower operated feedI table135 insteadof the stationary racks 13. T he feed table 13Y5'consistspreferably ofa plurality' of power driven feed rolls 136 mounted uponthe frame thereof and supported by` suitable postsor legs 137. Pressurerolls 138 are'rotatably mounted in parallel arms`139 and 141 pivotallymounted upon a shaft 142 supported by lumber ejected from the table andmarking machine.

Vilhen the marking machine mark lumber in conjunction with a poweroperated feed table, as Vabove described the upper orraising carriage 78is iXedly-secured to the upright supporting bar `16 preferably by meansof a bolt 145. The maincarriageY The feed rolls ,136 may be` A suitablereceiving. table 1444 is employedv t0l 19 supported by the springs 81holds it'against Y .boards are fed tliroughtlie marker withoutinterruption. The relative .position of the die belt 56,1nay be adjustedby means of the vhand grip v117, in a manner similar to that ot' thesurface 91 of the raisingr member 88 is in a horizontal line withv thetop 'tace of the bundling` rack or means supporting the board. vHe willthen adjust or revolve the die belt 56 upon the wheels 49 and 54 bywithdrawing the springbolt 52 from the aper-v ture 51 in thewheel 47and. revolving. said wheel upon the sleeve until the selected die orgroup of dies willi'egi ster with the *pointer` o-n the yoke. Shouldthedie or properly spaced dies fail toregister with the pointer v whenthe spring bolt is released and enters one Vsu of the apertures 51,itmaybe adjusted to peri'ectregistration by slightly raising or loweringthe rack'64 by means of the wing nut 7 4.k

The operator will then Vplace aboard. upon the rack, or feeding means tocontact with the selected die, as shown in Figure 1, and give` ita quickshove forwardly, or it may be moved iorwar'dlyby power, asshownin'Figure 17. By such movement, the forwardend of the board williirst engage the bottom surface 91l oit the raising member 88, therebyraising theA slide 78 and automatically positioning the apparatus toreceivethe boardfor marking.

The end of the board will then `strike theV marking die, as shown inFigure 2, with suflif cient force to clearly impress oi' brand the endof saidA board, the force of the impact al-V so being sufficient tocause the lower portion of the yoke 41 to be swung forwardly upon i thepin 85, as indicated in Figure 3,. thereby releasingor unlocking.themain carriage 1.9 from the bar 16 and permitting it to be raised bythe springs 81, tor be positioned for the succeeding' board. ashereinbefore stated. The end of the board thenengages the `stop lugs 99and 101 and is thereby prevented from further forward movement.

The inking of the. marking dies also e'lfected by the forward movementofthe yoke. I

lVlien the yoke ismoved forwardly from the position shown in FigureQ. tothat shown in Figure 8, the terminal endl of the normally vhorizontallyarm 67. ot the yoke swings upwardly. carrying with it vthe arm 65 of therack 64. x This upward movement oit the arm 65 tends to lift the wingnut .7 4 v'from the top face of thebearing 71, but due to the actionVofthe tension spring 75, the arm 65 andk rack 64 are movedidownwardly,with reference to the arm 67,-until .the top loop of the rack 64engagesthe periphery ofthe pinion 46, and arrests it from furthermovement. Tliismoveinent ot the 'rack actuates the pinion 46 and rotatesthe wheel 49, through the intermediary sleeve 45 and 47, therebyrevolvingthe belt lupon the wheels 49 and 54 suiiiciently to allow thedie beingused to Contact with the inking roll 59.A As soon as the lrack'assumes the .position above rdescribed, it will move in a fixedrelation with reference to the yoke, and the arm 65 will raise theconnecting rod 68 and wing nut 74 as indicated in Figure 8. The yokevand rack willbe returned to their normalerv startingposition by means ofthe spring 98, and ther slide 78 will. be supported by the raisingmember 88 resting upon the top surface ot the board, as indicated inthis same figure. ln Figures 8, 9and 10, I have shown the apparatusadapted .For face, or surface mark-y ing. To make this change the stoplug` 105 is substituted for the stop lugs 99 and 101, on the slide 95,andthe raising member 88, is lowered, as hereinbei'ore described. Theadjustment ofthe apparatus, otherwise, is similar vto thatemployed whenadjusting said ailiparatus for end marking. ln this operation, the boardis shoved or ized vinto the apparatus, until it engages the surface 91of the raising member, thereby` raising` the slide 78 andpositioning theapparatus, as hereinbei'ore described.v As the board continues in itsforward Vmovement it will engage the depending hooks 111,- provided onthe lower portion of the yoke, and carry said yoke forwardly againstthe'tension of the spring 98, as indicated in Figure 9. As soon vas theyoke commences this forward movement the die belt will start to -revolveupon the wheels 49 and 54, in thedirection indicated by the arrow,caused by the pinion 46 being actuated by the rack 64. as

described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3.,

Due to the arcuate movement of the yoke, the selected die will bebrought into frictional contact with the surface of the board, thefriction being sufficient to arrest the revolution of the belt upon thewheels, and it will then move forwardly in a fixed relation with respectt-o the yoke and the endot the board.

As soon as the yoke passes beyond the center oit' its movement, the diewill begin to release its vpressure upon the surface of the board, and`wheny suiiiciently released, will .complete its revolution, therebyengaging the inking'roll 59, in a manner similar to that described withreference to Figures 1, 2 and 3. The followingdie will. be preventedfrom contacting with the surface of the board by the rounded ends orguards 109, provided adjacent thehooks 111. It is tobeunder-v stood thatthe movement of the belt upon the wheels 49 and 5 4 is so timed as tobring iformed with the bracket 116.

the selected die into contactwith the surface of the board at the rightinstant. The means provided for unlocking the main carriage from thesupporting bar 16 must also be actuated intimed relation with the yokeand die belt.

` 1). An arm 112 is preferably secured to the end of the crank shaft 73and iscoiinected to a bell crank 114 by means of a connecting rod 113.The lbell crank is pivotally mounted upon a pin 115 secured to the upperportion of a bracket 116, and kis provided with a hand grip 117 `and alatchl of usual construction, adapted to engage a suitable notchedquadrant 118, here shown asbeing integrally The bracket is also adaptedtobe secured to the rack by suitable means, such as a clamping screwThus, should the operator desire to mark a lot of lumber averaging, sayfor instance,

' to get the desired die in vpositionto engage theboard.

Means arealso provided whereby the entire'apparatus may`beloweredto itsstarting position upon'the supporting'bar 16. A

small sheave 121 is rotatably mounted ina bracket 122 secured to theupright bar 103. Aiiexible rope or cable 123 has one end securedto thepin/66 onthe arm 65, and extends upwardly therei'rom and passes over thesheave 121 'and back to the operators end ofthe rack where it may besecuied to the rack by suitable means, not shown. A pull exerted on thecable will'release themaiii carriage from the bar 16, thereby permittingthe entire apparatus to be lowered until the lug 102 engages the top ofthe bar 16 or to startingr position.

I claim as my invention:

1. A lumber grade marking machine, comprising a support over which thelumber is moved, a marker against which the lumber is movedlongitudinally and adapted to impact with, and mechanism adapted to beoperated manuallv from a grade marking at 'tendant for selectivelyshifting said marker topresent a new mark to the lumber as each pieceis'fed and mentally graded by the operatori'egardless ot its lengthor'dimension.

2. A lumber grade marking machine, comprisinga support over whichlthelumbei` `is moved, an endless belt marker inthe fpathof themovinglumbe'r, and mechanism adapted to be'operated from a distance'forshifting said marker to lumber. e y Y A lumber grade marking machine,comprising a support over which they lumber is moved, a marker in thepath of the moving lumber and having a series of marks thereon adaptedfor adjustment successively inthe path ofthe lumber, an oscillatingmechanism i for shifting said markeiga cable connected with saidoscillating mechanism and a lever mounted at a distance for operatingsaid cable. f 4. Alumber marking machine, comprising a support'overwhich the lumber is moved, one piece upon another, a marker in the pathof the moving lumber mounted to apply a mark to the first piece oflumber presented thereto, andmanually operated'means t'or se lectivelymoving said marker to a position to mark a second piece'ot lumber movingover and in Contact with the iirst piece. Y

` 5. A'lumber marking machine, comprising a support over which thelumber fis moved,

present `a new mark to the` one piece above another, a marker mounted toapply a mark to the lower Vpiece of lum'- ber, and means operated bylthe lumber for. raising said marker with the delivery of eachsuccessive piece of lumber thereto for successively marking each piecein the, pile.

6. `A lumber markingmac'hine, comprising a support over which the lumberis moved,I one piece upon another, a marker, and means for locking it inits marking'position to apply a mark to the first piece of lumber andmecha nism for releasing said marker and raising it `to another markingposition when the marking of Ythe irst piecehas been completed.

`v7. "A lumber marking` machine, comprisingl asupport over which t-helumber ismoved, one

piece upon another, a vertically sliding marker` and means for normallylocking 1t in its marking position, and mechanism. actuated by themoving piece of lumber lfor'releasing said marker' andallowing it'tomove to its successive marking positions when the marking of each piecei'scomplete. l

'8. A lumber marking machine comprisinga support over which the lumberto be marked ismoved one `piece upon another, a marker inthe path oi'the moving pieceot lumber,

a vertically moving carriage supporting said marker, and means1 fornormally locking said caiiiage,'mechanism ac tuatedby` the movingpiecc'of lumber for releasing said carriage upon theV completion of themarking opera?.v tion, and means made operative by the inov- Y ing'picceof lumber for raising said carriage and markertothe next markingposition.

9. A lumber marking machine comprisingT a support over which thelumberis moved one kpiece upon another, a marker and support--` ing carriagetherefor, and "means for locking,`

ieu

slide and having` a surface tor'coutact with` the moving,Y piece otlumber V'for*raising` said slide and thereafter liitiiriil said carriage'and Y s marker when said carriage is released.

10.` A lumber marking` machine comprising a lsupport over which thelumber is moved one piece upon another, an upright guide' at one end oi"said support, a'carriage slidable on said `guidel and means for normallylocking it thereoma' marker mountedy in said carriage, and havingmarking dies adapted for adjustment in the path ot a piece ot lumber onsaid support, and mechanism actuated by the pressure of a piece oflumberaliter contact with the die for releasing` said Vcarriage to allowit and said marker tobe raised to position.v for marking the secondpiece of lumber rest-ing upon the first piece.

11. A lumber marking machine comprising;` a support over which thelumber is moved one piece upon another, anv upright guide at one end ofsaid support', a'carriage mounted to slide vertically on said guide, anendless belt marker'mounted in said carriage and having` dies forContact with the lumber, means 'for locking said carriage on said guide,means for shitting said 4belt to present another marking die to thelii'mber,'mechaiiism actuated by the pressure of the lumber on the diefor releasing said carriage to Vallow it and said marker to be raised toanother marking position, and means made operative by the movement ofthe piece of lumber for littingsaid carriage and marker when released.'

12. A lumber marking machine comprising a support over which the lumberis moved one piecel upon another, anv upright guide at one end ot saidsupport, a carriage slidable on said guide and having Aa locking means,a marker supported by said carriage for marl:- ing apiece of lumbermoving thereto, a slide on said guide, springs connecting said slidewith said carriage, a member connected vwith said slide and having;` acurved lower surface for contact with the moving piece of lumber,ene'agement'ot the lumber with said surface raising said slide andputting` said springs under tension, and mechanism actuated by the pieceof lumber being marked for releasing' said carriage andallowing it to beraised to another marking position,

13. A lumber marking machine comprising a support over which thelumberis moved one piece upon another, an upright guide at one end of saidsupport, carriage slidable on said guide,'a lumber marker supported b vsaid carriage and having means for placing` a mark on a surface of theapproaching` piece of lumber, a stop also movable on said guide withwhich the lumber contacts for alignment of the forward ends ot thelumber, means tor normally locking; said carriage, mechanism actuated bypressure oil a piece ot lumber for releasing saidlocking means when th'emarking operation is completed, and means i'or raisins-'said carriageand marker when re- `leasedito adjust them for marking another piece otlumber neath. y

14. Alumber grade marking machine comv pi'ising` a support over whichthe lumber is moved one piece upon another, an upright guide at one endot said support, a carriage slidable thereon, a marking belt supportedby said carriage and having dies thereon ior Contact with the lumber,mechanism for locking,- said carriage on said guide, mechanism formanually moving said belt to present a new die to its marking position,mechanism actuated by the pressure o :t a piece of lumber following themarking operation for -releas` ing said carriage to allow it and saidbelt to resting upon the piece bemove upwardly to another markingposition,

and mecahnism adapted to be operated at a point remote from saidcarriage for shittingsaid belt to present another marking die'to thework. v

15. A lumber grade marking machine comprising a vsupport over which thelumber is moved one piece upon another, a carriage mounted at one end ofsa id support,a marker supported by ysaid carriage, manually oper-- atedmeans for adjusting said marker to present a new mark to the work, andmechanism adapted to be operated at a point remote Jfrom said marker forshitting it to present a new mark in the path ofthe lumber.

16. A lumber grade marking machine com` prising Va support over whichthe lumber is moved, acarriag'e mounted at one end of said support, anendless marking belt mounted in said carriage and having dies forcontact with the approaching piece ot' lumber, mechanism including anoscillating rack Jfor shitting said belt to present a new die to thepath of the piece of' lumber and mechanism adapted to be operated at apoint remote from said marker for oscillating),` said rack andeffectingv the shitting operation of said belt.

17. A lumber grade. marking; machine comprising' ar support over whichthe "lumber is moved, a marker in the path of the moving: lumber andadapted tor adjustment to mark each piece regardless of its length,width or thickness, and means for selectively applying the proper gradeniark to a transverse vertical section 'ot the successive pieces oflumber as they are ted and placed one upon the other. i i

A lumber ,de markiir mini-,linie coniprising' a support upon wl i Ai thepiecesy of lumber arepiled one upon another, a marker in the path clithe l ber as' it moved upon said stunt-ort, said ,rler being' adapted toapply a grade niark to the transverse vertical lll() end surfaces ofeach piece of lumber regardless of variations in their dimensions, andmanually operated means for shifting said marker to presentthe propermark to the piece ot'lunib'er to be graded.` .I

19. A lumber marking machine comprising asupport over which theluinbervis moved, a marker, means for locking itin its marking positionto apply a mark to a piece oilumber, and mechanism for releasing saidmarker when marking of .the initial piece hasfbeen completed..

20. A lumber marking machine adaptedto receivegpieces oi lumberAdelivered endivise thereto, asliding marker andnieans fornormally-.locking it in its markingposition, and mechanism actuated by amoving piece of lumber foi-releasing` said marker.

2l. Al lumber grade marking machine comprising' asupport overwhichthelumber -is moved, a carriage mounted on said support, a marker supportedby said carriage on horizontal axis and manually operated means foradjusting said marker to presenta new markto the pieces oit lumber asthey are fed and piled one upon the other.

22. A lumber marking machine adaptedto receivefpieces ofluinber piledone upon another, aniarker mounted-toapply amark to an end surface of apiece ot lumber in the pile, and means for moving said marker uponthedelivery of each piece oflumber foi-successively marking-each piecein thepile.

V23. A lumber marking-machineadapted to receivepieces o-luinbertedendwise thereto, a carriage and a vertical'guide'Wliereon saidAcarria ;e is movable foradjustment With re spect to pieces of piledlumber, and means for normally locking said carriage, a marker supportedin said carriage and adapted for selective,adjustment inthe path of apiece'of lumber according to the grade thereof-to apply apredetermined'grade mark thereto.

24k A lumber marking machinev adapted'to receive pieces ot lumber fedendivise thereto, a carriage and a. guide Whereon said cai'riage ismovable, means for normally'loc-king said carriage, a marker supportedin said carriage and adapted for selective adjustment in the path of apiece oil' lumber to apply apredetermiiied grade mark thereto, andmechanism actuated by the pressure of a piece oi' lumber after markingfor releasing said carriage to allow it and said marker to be adjustedfor marking a second piece of lumber.

25. A lumber grade inaiking machine adapted to receive pieces of lumberto be graded delivered endivise thereto, a marker adapted to apply grademarks to transverse vertical surfaces of pieces of lumber of varyinglength, thickness and Width,a plurality of die members adjustable onsaid marker and means controlled by a grading operator at a point Wherehe can easily determine the properwgrade, for shifting said die membersfor each piece of lumber, if necessary, as it impacts With the marker toconsecutively apply the nproper grade mark to the `pieces ofi lumber..

, Q6. A lumber-grade marking machine com prising a support over whichthe'lumber of varying lengths, thickness `and Width is moved, a markerin the path of the moving lumber, a pluralityofdie members thereon; i*

means engaged by the moving lumber fory positioning the marker to causedie member to. be engagedby the lumber asthe successive pieces impactWit-h the selected diel member, and means remote from vthe marker vandmanually. operable to adjustsaid die members to cause a selected-die tobe presentedjto a given piece oflumberfsubsequent toand corresponding tothe mentalgradimgfoi the lumber by a grade-marking attendant.

27. A lumber grade-.markingmachine com-Y the marker and impacts Withsaid characters Y .28. 4A lumber marking machine comprising a supportover which the lumberis moved,

a marker and means for locking :it in its marking positiontoapply amarktothetirst piece of lumbervand mechanism for,releasing said markersandraising itfto-another ,locking position when .themarking of the iirstpiece has been completed.

29. A lumber markingmachine comprising a supportfover `which the .lumberis moved longitudinally and en vvhich it may` be viewed by an attendantand mentally graded, .a marking device provided With a series oi symbolsor characters indicating dierent b oi the lumberimpactaand mechanismcontrolled by an attendant from a viewing and grading .position for adjustingj said ymarker during the travel of .the 'piece of lumber theretofor applying the desired grade mark to the surface ofthe lumber.

30. A lumber `marking machine .comprising asupport overvvhich the lumberis moved longitudinally and upon Which the individual pieces of lumbermay :be .viewed and mentally graded by anattendant, a grade markingdevicepositioned to apply anyone of aV series Orades of lumber, and.With .Which .the end leu ot'grade marks by impact tothe surface ot' thelumber, and-manually controlled means operated by theattendant as thepieces ofv lumber' are movingtoward the markerfor adjusting saidmarkerto position the desired grade mark for application lto the surfaceof the approachingfpiece of lumber.

31. A lumber grade-marking machine comprising a support over Which thelumber is moved, a marker including a plurality oi' differentgrade-marking dies adjustably mounted thereon and each adapted to bepositioned in the path of the .moving lumber, one at a time, and meansmanually operable by a grade-marking attendant, for selectivelypresenting one of said dies in the path ol the lumber to receive itsimpact, subsequent to the mental grading of each piece of lumber by anattendant.

32. A lumber grade-marking machine comprising a support over which thelumber is moved, a marker including` an endless belt, a plurality ofdifferent grade-marking dies secured to said belt and each adapted tobek positioned in the path of the moving lumber, and means remote 'fromthe marker and manually operable by a grade-marking attendant forrotating said belt to selectively present one of said dies in thelongitudinal path of the lumber to receive its impact, subsequent to themental grading of each piece oiu lumber by the attendant. Y

83. A lumber grade-marking machine comprising a support over which thelumber' is moved, a marking device including a movable member, aplurality of different grade marks on said member and each adapted to bep0- sitioned in the path of the moving lumber, and means having` anoperative connection Withv said movable member, whereby said means maybe manually operated by a grademarking attendant to adjust said grademarks to present a selected mark in the path of the moving lumber toreceive its longitudinal impact, subsequent to and corresponding to themental grading of the lumber by the attendant.

34. A lumber grade-marking machine comprising a support over which thepieces ol" lumber are moved, a marker in the path of the moving lumberit'or applying grade marks to transverse vertical surfaces thereof, whenthe lumber contacts therewith, a plurality of characters representingdifferent grades of Vlumber adjustable on said marker, and manuallyoperated means for shifting said characters to present a selected markto the lumber, after each piece is viewed and mentally graded by anattendant during the feeding operation.

85. A lumber grade-marking machine, comprising a support over which thelumber is moved, a marker against Which the lumber 'is movedlongitudinally and adapted to im- JSEPH GLBERT MCDONGUGH.

